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When the State of Indiana closed the Group Camp facilities at Tippecanoe River State Park a few years ago Live Free USA tried a few other locations for our flagship event. The original Group Camp facility included a large dining hall, an infirmary, instructors lodging, a crafty training building, and thirty-six cabins for participants to stay in. We were unable to find anything comparable for the kind of events we had hosted for over forty-five years.

After a few challenging efforts at other sites, we decided to try using the remaining Tepicon Hall back at Tippecanoe. We were delighted to find that the hall had been remodeled and upgraded. Attendees who wanted to stay overnight were able to rent the nice Rent-A-Camp cabins or reserve campsites in the park through the Indiana DNR website. Although Tepicon has is a bit smaller hall, we were able to accommodate everyone nicely and used the adjoining outdoor areas to conduct concurrent classes.

We again were able to provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a nominal cost to all in attendance. In addition to a full schedule of classes, we sold books, recruited members and conducted raffles with great survival gear and training prizes contributed by local vendors and generous members. Members pitched in manning tables, serving meals, and cleaning up the facilities. The enthusiasm and camaraderie was at a level not seen in several years. Classes included: food preservation, gardening, beekeeping, fire starting, survival for children, field navigation, first aid, drone uses, survival packs, radio communications, knife sharpening, and more. Needless to say, Camp Independence will be back at Tippecanoe next-year and in years to come. Watch this publication and our website and Facebook pages for the dates. We are already looking for instructors and helpers for that event.

A full hall of participants listen to one of many instructors throughout the day

Schedule of indoor and outdoor classes

Instructors used multi-media, hands-on and demonstrations

Th outdoor area was used for fire starting, navigation and other subjects

Tables filled with items for the Survival Stuff raffle

Comfortable cabins and space for family activities were available from the Indiana DNR

SAFETY & SECURITY TEAM REORGANIZING
The Live Fee USA bylaws have always provided for the establishments of teams to assure coverage of all survival and preparedness related issues. These teams have acted as agencies to advance their specialties and then lead training events to improve that capacity among all Live Free groups and members. Until last year the “Safety and Security” Director was elected. The changes in the bylaws now assigns all specific tasks to designated “coordinators”. At one time our safety and security team was extremely well trained and conducted internal field training as well as external classes. Unfortunately this team has been largely inactive for several years. We know that we have a number of members trained in various aspects of self-protection, home defense, and related skills that can be the core of a revitalized team. This group would:

Checkout the new SURVIVAL MEDICS page on our website! The development of our full Survival Medics Course and the many. many first aid programs and articles that we have developed over the years has produced a lot of articles and training material specifically for emergency medical care under survival conditions. Live Free now has a specialized Survival Medic’s Group and available certification training materials. Live Free USA has been presenting and developing survival medicine and first aid classes since the early 1970s. On this page we have posted text articles and downloadable PDF files that you will find helpful in medical emergencies. We invite members to contribute articles related to emergency medical care and alternative medical care to this new page. Those interested in our training courses and materials can contact survivorjj@aol.com

I discovered a great article on healing "weeds" right in our own backyard. Thanks to Patsy Clark I have been motivated to learn more about what we can use, other than "traditional medicines". I hope you are able to learn something new from this article!

This might come as a surprise, but many of you just might have a medicine cabinet right in your own backyard and you aren’t even aware of it. Yes, that is correct. As a Certified Master Herbalist I wanted to share with you some basic “weeds” that are known to have a profound impact on you or someone that you love health. Okay here we go!

Purslane– Is rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Purslane is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids for vegans, vegetarians, and other people who do not or cannot eat fish. In fact, purslane is said to be the richest source of omega-3 fatty acids among cultivated green leafy vegetables. However, some wild-growing greens, such as molokhia and stamnagathi, have been reported to contain omega-3 fatty acids in amounts comparable to those found in purslane.

How to reap the health benefits of summer purslane

Purslane starts to lose its nutritional qualities immediately after harvest. Therefore, the best way to maximize the health benefits of purslane is to grow your purslane and harvest it as needed. If you don’t have a big garden or if you fear that planting purslane will take over your entire vegetable garden (after all, purslane is a weed), consider growing purslane indoors as a microgreen. All you need is an empty container, some potting soil, organic purslane seed, and a sunny window sill. Simply sow the seeds, keep the soil moist (but avoid over-watering), and watch your micro-purslane grow!

Dandelions– Are rich in potassium which is often lost through excess urination. Dandelions are exceptionally high in vitamin A, vitamin, C and iron with more iron and calcium than spinach.

Almost all the parts of dandelion herb are in various traditional as well in modern medicine. The principle compounds in the herb have laxative and diuretic functions. The plant parts have been used as herbal remedy for liver and gall bladder complaints. The herb is also a good tonic, appetite stimulant and is a good remedy for dyspeptic complaints. The inside surface of the flower stems used as a smoothing agent for burns and stings (for example in stinging nettle allergy).

Here are some serving tips:

* Young tender shoots, raw or blanched, used in salads and sandwiches either alone or in combination with other greens like lettuce, kale, cabbage, chives, etc.
* Fresh greens may also used in soups, stews, juices, and as cooked vegetable.
* Dried leaves as well as flower parts used to make tonic drinks and herbal dandelion teas.
* Dandelion flowers used in the preparation of wines, schnapps, pancakes; and are favored in Arab baking.
* Lightly roasted and grounded roots used to make wonderfully flavorful dandelion coffee.

Chickweed-Is rich in nutrients that nourish the lymph and glandular systems. Chickweed is best known for it’s ability to cool inflammation and speed healing for internal or external flare-ups. Chickweed tea is an old remedy for obesity. Herbalists like myself drink teas of fresh chickweed as one of the classic spring tonics to cleanse the blood. Chickweed poultices are useful for cooling and soothing minor burns, skin irritations, and rashes particularly when associated with dryness and itching. Chickweed is taken by mouth to treat stomach problems, intestinal complaints such as constipation, disorders of the blood, arthritis, lung diseases including asthma, kidney disorders, inflammatory conditions of the urinary tract, rabies, and scurvy or vitamin C deficiency. It is also used to relieve extreme exhaustion. Chickweed is applied on the skin relieve various skin conditions such as skin wounds, ulcers, burns, arthritis pain and symptoms of eczema.

How to Enjoy Chickweed

Chickweed leaves can be steamed or added raw to salads. You can also make a tea from the leaves by steeping them in a cup of boiling water for ten minutes.

Rosemary-Reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease due to it carnosic acid.

Health Benefits of Rosemary:

The wonderful smell of rosemary is often associated with good food and great times, but it could just as easily be associated with good health. Rosemary contains substances that are useful for stimulating the immune system, increasing circulation, and improving digestion. Rosemary also contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may make it useful for reducing the severity of asthma attacks.

Rosemary is used for digestion problems, including heartburn, intestinal gas (flatulence), liver and gallbladder complaints, and loss of appetite. It is also used for gout, cough, headache, high blood pressure, and reducing age-related memory loss. In addition, rosemary has been shown to increase the blood flow to the head and brain, improving concentration. So, the next time you enhance the flavor of some special dish with rosemary, congratulate yourself for a wise as well as delicious choice. Some women use rosemary for increasing menstrual flow. If you’re pregnant please take care with consuming or eating Rosemary because it is also know to cause miscarriages.

Rosemary is used topically (applied to the skin) for preventing and treating baldness; and treating circulation problems, toothache, a skin condition called eczema, and joint or muscle pain such as myalgia, sciatica, and intercostal neuralgia. It is also used for wound healing, in bath therapy (balneotherapy), and as an insect repellent.

Milk Weed-Milkweed is useful for kidney problems, dropsy, scrofula, conditions of the bladder, water retention, asthma, stomach ailments, and gallstones, female disorders, arthritis, and bronchitis. It causes increase in perspiration, thus reducing fever. Some Native Americans rubbed the (latex) juice on warts, moles, ringworms; others drank an infusion of the rootstock to produce temporary sterility or as a laxative. A folk cancer remedy. Some milkweed species are highly poisonous.

White Clover– has useful compounds to treat bronchitis & respiratory disorders. Herbalists revere red clover for several purported health benefits, including detoxification, decongestion and reducing inflammation. Red clover is also considered a rich source of isoflavones, an antioxidant associated in some studies with combating certain types of cancer, including breast cancer and prostate cancer. The isoflavones in red clover have also been found beneficial in reducing bone loss and menopausal symptoms in healthy women. White clover has not been found to possess the same constituents or health benefits. Remember that no herbs have been FDA-approved for medical use and you should always consult with your doctor before taking red clover tea for any health-related purpose. All clovers, including white, possess some amount of vitamins A, E, C, B-2, and B-3, calcium, chromium, lecithin, magnesium, potassium and silicium. Among other things, clover is a blood purifier, is antispasmodic, and an expectorant. The tea is good for asthma and bronchitis.

For medicinal wash or internal use of Clover:

Steep tea (This can be any part of the clover plant.) in water for 30 minutes, then take 1-2 oz. frequently or 4-6 cups daily.

Nettles– Are useful in arthritis, gout, asthma, hay fever, and Alzheimer’s disease and soft tissue conditions such as fibromyalgia and tendonitis. Patients with Lupus and other auto-immune disorders suffering from joint pain experience relief from drinking a cup of nettle tea or eating stewed nettle leaves daily. Nettle is high in iron making it excellent for combating anemia and fatigue. It supports the liver. Urinary tract support. A great herb for treating bladder and urinary tract function. Nettle aids in digestive issues as well. Nettle leaf is effective at reducing symptoms of the digestive tract ranging from acid reflux, excess gas, nausea, colitis and Celiac disease.

Lavender-Has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Both the flowers and the leaves of the lavender plant are used in herbal medicine, usually in the form of an oil or as a tea. The compound linalool, found in lavender oil, is known to have an anti-anxiety, calming effect. Lavender oil is often used as a relaxant during massages, added to lotions for babies, children and adults, and used in soap. Lavender has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain killing) attributes.

Preparation Methods & Dosage: Lavender tea can be made from the fresh or dried flowers. Lavender essential oil should only be used externally, and can be used in massage oils, baths and aroma lamps.

Lavender Side Effects: The volatile oils in lavender can be very hard on the liver and kidneys of cats and dogs so no internal use of the herb is suggested for our animal friends.

Burdock-May reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. Besides its culinary uses, burdock root has long been praised for its healing properties. The rest of this article is dedicated to shedding light on the numerous nutritional and health benefits of burdock root (or gobo, as the Japanese call it). Burdock root contains insulin, a type of beneficial fiber with numerous positive health effects. Most of these health benefits are linked to the ability of insulin fiber to promote the growth of bifidobacteria in the large intestine. Bifidobacteria are health promoting microbes that are naturally present in the gut. These bacteria have been found to destroy harmful bacteria in the intestines, promote easy bowel movement, and improve the immune system. Some studies also suggest that bifidobacteria may be able to reduce the levels of certain colonic enzymes that convert pro-carcinogenic molecules into carcinogens (cancer-causing molecules).

Preparation Methods:

You can add it to soups and saute it in a stir fry with carrots and sesame seeds, yum! You can also throw it in some coleslaw, or even just add it to your normal everyday salads. Burdock can also be juiced for a delicious and refreshing healing beverage. I have also discovered that traditional Chinese medicine also has used burdock synergistic-ally with other herbs to treat cold symptoms and sore throats.

Sow Thistle-is useful for treating inflammation and digestive upsets. Nutritional info about sow thistles. Sow thistle leaves are said to be a good source of vitamins A and C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Young sow thistle leaves are wonderful in salad, adding substance and depth to the flavor of other greens. They have a slight bitter edge (just like some lettuces do), but they’re less bitter than dandelion leaves. The flowers are also delicious in salads.

I hope you really enjoyed reading up “backyard weeds” and their health potentials.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is for general information purposes only and must not be used to treat or diagnose dental/medical conditions. The products and statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended as dental advice. Should you have any health concerns please check with your medical doctor before self-administering any natural remedy.

Why Network?
Many prepper/survivalists maintain that secrecy and security are more important than networking and organizing. Live Free USA has been in existence as a high profile advocate and teaching organization for survival and preparedness for over 45-years. Over these years we have seen hundreds of survival preparedness organizations come and go. A group that limits its goals to preparing for some future disaster and limits its vision to just “surviving” always deteriorates and dissolves over a few years. Only those groups that interact with their communities and likeminded groups have been successful over the long haul. A successful group is about growing, building, advocating, teaching and making a difference no matter what the future brings. Networking is a key factor in personal, family and group survival.

Networking can be categorized into four levels.

Personal and Family Networks are built through discussion of on-going hazards (e.g. economic decline, climate change, crime, lost freedoms, shortages, etc.) and potential disasters (e.g. financial collapse, civil unrest, storms, floods, droughts, epidemics, etc.) with coworkers, neighbors, family members and friends. Such discussions must lead to suggested actions (plans, purchases, stocking up, learning) and further cooperative activities to help each other be better prepared and move towards sustainable living (gardens, alternate energy, trade and barter, etc.). This should lead to a formal or informal network or group that strengthens everyone capabilities. The group should always be open to helping others and be involved in the community.

Community Networks are formed through involvement of existing organizations in preparedness and self-reliance activities. This may be a network of dedicated preparedness groups, but more often should include community groups, church groups, veteran’s organizations, fraternal organizations and sports (e.g. hunting, shooting, etc.) groups. Such networks will have greater resources and a vested interest in bringing preparedness and sustainable living to the community. They can host seminars, workshops and even full scale preparedness fairs.

Regional and National Networking* is critical to the long-term survival of independent and self-reliant families. Without such networks a culture of centralized control and dependency will prevail. Although the internet can help facilitate the development of such networks, they should be built on “boots on the ground”, face-to-face” contact with adjoining and linked groups of all kinds. Being represented at preparedness expos, seminars, and meetings . Is critical to this phase of network building. Live Free USA also actively links up chapters and affiliates in geographically adjoining areas. For help in contacting other groups e-mail: lfinow@aol.com

Virtual Networks are the most popular and easy way to network with other preparedness and self-reliance practitioners. While these systems boast hundreds or thousands of members they are not “real” networks. They are however very great tools and portals to developing real connections and real networks. For a variety of reasons, depending on any internet system for sustaining disaster preparedness organization would be a mistake, but it is a great starting point to facilitate networking.
One of the best networks to use is: AmericanPreppersNetwork.com These folks can get you networking with national a regional preppers and groups as well as keep you informed about meetings and expos around the country

* Live Free USA established an effective national network in the late 1970, before there was an internet. It can be done!

LIVE FREE USA IS DEDICATED TO BUILDING THE PREPAREDNESS AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING MOVEMENT. YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT US FOR HELP IN ORGANIZING AND NETWORKING.

Preparedness Expositions and Seminars
Attending expos is one of the best ways to establish real contacts with other preparedness groups as well as to learn new skills and try out the latest emergency survival and sustainable living equipment. Many are listed with: americanpreppersnetwork.com and in Live Free’s AmericanSurvivor.org website in the “events” tab,

At this point we have done a total of seven radio programs for the Preparedness Radio Network at PreparednessRadioNetwork.com. Of these two have been edited and are available to listen to. Once we get all of the links we will post themm to a special page, but for now. Here are the links for the ones we have.

First Interview: http://www.preparednessradionetwork.com/listenepisode.aspx?id=a160c5fe97c547b191ff77cbbdc4d641

Second Interview: http://www.preparednessradionetwork.com/listenepisode.aspx?id=08dca0ffa1ae4a3db78e32066936e015

Live Fee USA continues to grow with new "boots on the ground" working chapters in more states. These are great gruops that serve their members needs for security, preparedness and self-reliance while bringing survival information and education to their communities.

I have post below a listing of all current Live Free chapters. This also includes some information on how to start a chapter or affiliate an existing group as a chapter. Together we can do more and be more secure.

Search American Survivor

Membership

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FOR INSTANT ACCESS CLICK BELOW1 Year $203 Years $50Life Membership $250